linked militants have returned to their towns once the Americans have withdrawn. U.S. commanders hope local troops can now hold their own as part of strategy to begin withdrawing U.S. forces next year. After unconfirmed reports from local people of dozens of casualties in Qusayba and nearby Qaim, the military said in a statement that air strikes had hit only buildings from where rebels had opened fire. Troops had found six bombs on Saturday, Reuters said. --More 2330 Local Time 2030 GMT
